Still processing last night’s White Lotus? You’re not alone. Episode 5, “Full-Moon Party,” was by far one of the most wild episodes to date. Not only did it feature an incestuous kiss between Saxon and Lochlan, it also saw the delivery of one of the most bonkers monologues in television history delivered by surprise guest Sam Rockwell. But Sam Rockwell’s monologue wasn’t just shocking, according to Walton Goggins, it was also beautiful.
ICYMI, Episode 5 of The White Lotus saw Walter’s Rick arrive in Bangkok to meet up with his old friend Frank, played by the Oscar-winning Sam, as he sets in motion his plan to get close to Sritala and her husband. While catching up over drinks, Frank launches into a monologue about what he’s been up to in Thailand, including becoming addicted to sex and eventually wondering “maybe what I really want is to be one of these Asian girls.” He then recounted how he hired “ladyboys” to have sex with him and eventually lost himself in a cycle of lust. Long story short: now he’s celibate and a Buddhist.
Needless to say, the monologue was widely discussed on the internet. As was Walton Goggins’ silent reactions in the scene, which at times read as deer-in-the-headlights, and others as a sort of terrified fascination. And it’s becoming a meme faster than any meme has memed before.
Speaking about the scene in an interview with Vanity Fair, Walton described his intention behind the reaction to the monologue. “The only thing that I can say is that I had no judgment,” he explained. “It took me a moment to wrap my head around this particular life experience, so it was like, ‘wow, wow, okay.’ But without judgment—I think that’s so beautiful about it.”
For Walton, Rick’s interactions with Frank are an opportunity to show his character in a different light, away from the social pressures of the hotel. “Here’s a person who you think judges fucking everyone at The White Lotus, but when he connects, there is no judgment and there’s just listening,” he said, adding, “It was really one of the greatest opportunities and privileges to get to go through this experience with Sammy Rock.”
Walton and Sam have been friends for over a decade (and Sam also happens to be the longtime partner of The White Lotus‘ Leslie Bibb), and their closeness also added to the importance of the moment and the shoot. “Sam is my hero,” Walton told Vanity Fair. “He’s really one of the guys in my generation that I look up to, and he knows that. So coming into this experience, there was a certain amount of anxiety, meaning I didn’t want to let my friend down.” Given the explosive reaction to the scene, I think it’s safe to say he did nothing of the sort.
